Mind, Body & Spirit – Things I’m Loving Right Now

This year is not going to be about big goals for me. Instead, I’m focusing on bringing a little ray of sunshine into my life on a daily basis, trying to create more consistency in the happiness department. Because it’s the little daily things we do, the little moments of happiness that all add up – creating a general greater happiness in our lives, vs “I’ll-be-happy-when-big-goals-are-achieved” that often set ourselves up for disappointment. By not setting huge goals & expectations and by getting into the habit of smaller, daily happiness practices, we often find we naturally tend to achieve the larger goals. At the end of the day, we all just want to be happy. Let’s make it a daily practice and not wait for it, when we’re thinner, more successful etc  – here are a few things that are elevating my mood!

I can’t get enough of these Soil organic carrier & blended oils. There’s something for everyone. From uplifting, relaxing & toning oils to nourishing & moisturising Avocado & Macadamia nut oils. It feels like liquid gold for the skin, bringing on a daily me-time-ritual, running a hot oil bath or massaging a nourishing oil into your skin after a shower. The Toning oil has to be a favourite for its incredible, I’m-walking-in-the-fynbos, type fragrance. Fennel, Rosemary, Geranium & Juniper Berry all assist in detoxifying, toning and stimulating the skin. I also love that they’re fairly in-expensive at around R100 for 100ml.

Exercise is a no brainer when it comes to elevating ones mood. Just a walk and some fresh air can change ones day. Yoga is one form of exercise that has had an incredible effect on my mood – I always leave feeling calmer, less stressed and a bit more ontop of life! Check out The Om Revolution for outdoor classes, corporate classes for your office, hey – they’ll even come to you, or how about a private class on top of Table Mountain! They’ve also just released their new Yoga Range, like these comfy “Inhale, Exhale” leggings. A little reminder to take a few minutes out each day to just, breathe!

Every now and then we have those weeks where we just need to bang out a few no-brainer meals. I’m queen of just making a salad and popping a chicken in the oven. There’s nothing wrong with that, but taking the time to do a recipe a few times a week is also a lovely way to escape from the noise and unwind – especially when it’s a recipe aimed at nourishing your body. I’m working my way through The Yoga Kitchen and loving it. If you can’t do one of Marlien’s retreats, (I’m so excited I’ve just booked one!) her book has a 21 Day Nourish & Glow programme, and all the recipes you’re likely to experience on her retreats.

A friend bought me this little book on Hygge, the Danish way to live well . . . it’s a great read. They are very much about creating daily pleasure experiences. Drinking hot chocolate by the fire, burning candles, sharing a glass of wine with 2 or 3 friends and really being mindful about savouring and enjoying those cosy moments. I love fresh cut flowers, treating myself to a good magazine, agreed – burning candles or a little every now and then a more pricey than usual bottle of wine and good dark chocolate. I used to feel like I was wasting money, and while yes, saving and being planned for the future is important, we should not forget to have fun and enjoy the everyday, along the way xx